☀ Political Time Out 🌙

Welcome back to Araw Araw!

Good morning. Please take a millisecond to respond to the one-question poll below stocks!

Stocks

📈NASDAQ

-1.62%

📈S&P 500

-1.46%

📉Bitcoin

-0.15%

📉Philippine Stock Exchange

-0.27%

📈 $ USD to ₱ PHP

$1 = ₱

+0.13%

 

Local News

Cebu City Mayor Gets Time Out: Suspended for 6 Months

By Tobias Bautista

Pia Piquero, Cebu Daily News


Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is taking an involuntary hiatus as the Office of the Ombudsman slaps him with a six-month suspension. Alongside Rama, seven other city hall officials find themselves in the same boat. The reason? Allegations of grave misconduct and other shenanigans related to delayed salaries for city employees. It's like a timeout for the mayor and his crew, courtesy of the anti-graft watchdog.

Tech

🍎 Apple: Next Generation iPads

Apple

by Tobias Bautista

Apple's latest iPad lineup just got a makeover! The company unveiled sleeker, faster models at its Cupertino headquarters, signaling its first big update in over a year. With iPhone sales taking a dip, Apple's banking on these new tablets to bring back the buzz.

The iPad Pro is getting a slimmed-down look, packed with a new M4 processor for extra oomph and a dazzling dual OLED display. But with great power comes a slightly higher price tag – the 11-inch model will set you back $999, while the 13-inch beauty goes for $1,299.

Meanwhile, the iPad Air is also getting a makeover, featuring the speedy M2 chip, a fresh design, and more storage. Plus, it's getting a 13-inch display option and support for the new Apple Pencil Pro – previously a Pro exclusive. And the best part? Prices have been adjusted to match, starting at $599 for the 11-inch and $799 for the new 13-inch model.

But that's not all! Apple's slashing prices on its 10th generation iPad, now just $349. They're hoping these upgrades will breathe new life into the tablet market, especially after a 17% sales drop last quarter.

Get ready to get your hands on these shiny new gadgets – they'll hit stores on May 15, with preorders kicking off today!

🤖 Uncle Sam vs. AI

by Tobias Bautista

Florence Lo, Reuters

The Biden administration is getting its game face on to ensure U.S. AI doesn't fall into the wrong hands, with plans afoot to corral the most advanced AI Models. Sources say this could be the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of keeping cutting-edge tech out of China's hands.

The Commerce Department is mulling over regulations that would lasso in those top-tier AI models, the ones with all the bells and whistles. Think of it like trying to put guardrails on a rollercoaster—tricky, but necessary for safety's sake.

Currently, U.S. tech giants like Microsoft and Google are free to peddle these powerful models worldwide without much oversight. But Uncle Sam is looking to change that narrative, with potential rules that would rein in the export of these tech marvels.

The plan? Well, it's kind of like setting a threshold for how much computing power it takes to train these models. If they hit that level, developers would need Uncle Sam's blessing before they hit the export button.

But hey, it's not all smooth sailing. Wrangling AI models is like trying to herd cats—it's a challenge. And with China hot on America's heels in the AI race, it's a game of catch-up that's as tricky as it gets.

Still, the U.S. isn't taking any chances. With worries about bioweapons and cyber attacks swirling, Uncle Sam is on high alert, trying to keep the AI genie in the bottle. But as they say, it's easier said than done.

Sports

⚡️ Thunder strike first over Mavs, Boston obliterates Cleveland in respective Game 1’s

By Koby del Rosario

Winslow Townson, USA Today

Both of the fourth-seeded teams in the Dallas Mavericks and the Cleveland Cavaliers were limited to just 95 points in Game 1 of their respective second-round series.

The Oklahoma City Thunder (#1) won on their homecourt against the Mavs, 117-95. MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an all-around game of 29 points with 9 rebounds and assists apiece while stalwart Chet Holmgren had 19 markers of his own.

Hoping for a better outcome in Game 2, fellow MVP candidate Luka Doncic still had 19 markers, six boards, and nine assists while Kyrie Irving scored 20.

Out in Boston, the first-seeded Celtics showed their might against the Cavs in their 120-95 victory. It was Jaylen Brown’s time to shine this time out as he had 32 points with six caroms while Derrick White pitched in 25 to his point tally.

Despite getting outplayed, All-Star Donovan Mitchell still had 33 points, six rebounds, and five dimes as he will need more from his team in Game 2.

For Thursday morning Philippine time, the second-seeded New York Knicks take on the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of their second-round series.

Games

🎯 Fun Brain Teasers

  • Wordle: guess the random five letter word

  • Connections: match four words of the same category

  • Strands: word search but it depends on the category

Referral

Enjoying Araw Araw? Share the sunshine by sending out the link below! Rewards for referrals coming soon 👀

Feedback

Got feedback/concerns with Araw Araw? Help us make your days brighter ☀ by sending us feedback through the form below!

Answers

  1. Mount Apo

  2. Gloria Diaz

  3. Arnis

  4. 3: Spain, Japan, USA

  5. Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan

Reply

or to participate.